Tell me what you think about the American Red Cross!!

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a board member for a local chapter of the American Red Cross. Many local Red Cross Chapters are suffering some dark times in the wake of 9/11. Our chapter and national donations are way down and it is getting difficult for some of us to continue our work in the multiple areas in which we operate (disaster, health and safety ed, community services).

I am particularly interested in hearing how you view the Liberty Fund, the millions of dollars that have been donated and now pledged to the care of 9/11 victims and families. This is an unprecendented use of disaster related donations and nothing like it was done for Oklahoma city victims. I will candidly tell you that _I believe_ (and my opinion is mine alone) it may impact our ability to respond to future victims of disasters.

Have you donated to the Red Cross in the past? If yes, have you donated in this calendar year? Why or why not?

Do you regard the Red Ccross as a safe and good place to donate dollars to?

thanks for your input.

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I used to hold the ARC in high regaurd until: I found out what the top managers/CEOs are paid. I used to think the ARC was a non profit org, there to help people.

The funds that came in d/t 9-11 belong to the ARC to do as they see fit. Now that everything is cleaned up, why would they still be involved? ARC is to help people after a disaster and to provide relief in areas of our world to those in need. I'm not sure I agree with the way they took advantage of 9-11 to market for funds....but what else can they do...they need money to run the show....if they don't take advantage when they are able....they would only miss out on funds needed to help others. But, it does make them look bad imo. I have not seen commercails since the big post 9-11 campaign that brought them in millions of dollars. What? Do they have enough money now and no longer need to ask the public for assistance? I think NOT, they are just laying low b/c they don't know what else to do.

I do not give my money to organizations where the boses are there to make the big buck and make 6 figure incomes. I'll stick with giving my money to people who truly want to help others and do not take advantage of givers money for personal gain. There are plenty of local groups and programs that would help my community so much more than the ARC. Soup kitchens, runaway shelters, womans shelters for those running from abuse, teen prego clinics, free clinics, etc. The people who work in those places, do it for the ability to help others and not pocket the bucks into there own. Those places where the top people drive jags and live in mansions b/c of thier incomes from working at a non profit org, will never get my hard earned buck and that includes the ARC.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I too think that the bigwigs in the ARC are paid waaay too much. I also give my money to local causes. My 17 y/o son is mentally ill and has run away several times. He has always received help: food, use of a telephone, etc from our local mission. So...that's where my money goes. I also give to mental health causes.

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ARC has done a wonderful job over the years in helping victims of disaster and tragedy. In 1994, I lived in California about 15 miles from the epicenter of the Northridge Earthquake. ARC was there to help with food and shelter for the victims and the rescue workers. I now live in Oklahoma City and I can't tell you (unfortunately) how many times the ARC has been to this area! The ARC was there OKC bombing of 1995 and the F5 tornado of 1999. Although, churches and just good folks go out of their way to help victims here, we would be helpless without the ARC. They are there night and day for as long as it takes to see that everyone, including rescue workers are taken care of.

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I was disappointed and disgusted with the Red Cross's handling of 9/11. Although I appreciate that the national organization has made some efforts to restructure how they handle money--and the departure of CEO Bernadine Healy was a big step in the right direction.

However, 60 Minutes II just did a segment last week on the San Diego branch of the ARC, whose horrendous mishandling of a major local disaster had resulted in public outrage, much unfavorable publicity, an investigation by the national organization and the summary dismissal of every single member of San Diego's board of directors. The piece pointed out that the local branches have minimal contact with and virtually no accountability (financial or otherwise) to the national organization.

That, to me, seems to be a rather glaring systemic problem. To be honest, after watching that piece, in addition to the Liberty Fund mess, I've decided I will be donating to local organizations--and NOT the local Red Cross--from now on. I sincerely doubt I would ever trust them with my money again.

Sorry! :o

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Is the ARC a international organization or American (USA) organization??

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i have no respect for the way they handle their $$...i prefer to give on a more local level...fundraisers for local cancer/transplant/etc victims...or we adopt certain pts at holidays... all anonymously..but more sure that the $$ is going where it should go...

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I also saw the 60 minutes special on the Red Cross. With no accountability and 6 figure incomes. I will never give another cent to the Red Cross. In case of severe emergency/disaster i would provide nursing care. I sorry to say I think the Red Cross will continue to have problems for some time to come

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I also saw the 60 minutes piece which changed my mind about the red cross. In addition the 9 - 11 controversary only strengthened my view point. I am also shocked by how much the administrators of the Red Cross make - yet depend on volunteer nurses, etc. to do the actual in the trenches work.

No more money from me. I will also be re-evaluating my donation to the United Way.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

I give to the Red Cross but earmark it for local use. I have been a Red Cross volunteer for 4 years as a community CPR instructor and have given blood through them since age 17. I think the local chapters do excellent work but, as in most situations, at the corporate level things get messed up.

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No I do not donate to any "charitable" organization that has CEO's or directors that get 6 figure salaries. Never have and never will. I use to donate to MADD when Candy Lightner started and ran it. Then 99 cents of every dollar went to public education. As soon as it went corporate, I stopped and I told them why (less than a dime of every dollar to public education). I donate food and supplies to my local animal shelters. I assist neighbors as needed.

I can see why people were upset about the 9/11 fund. People thought it was going to be going soley to those directly affected by the Pentagon, plane and World Trade Center tragedies. I didn't pick up a phone and give money then because, call me a cynic (I prefer the word realist), I saw this coming! I'd rather give support to those I know that were directly affected, emotional or financial, rather than give it over to an organization and not know where it is going.

I think the work the volunteers of the American Red Cross are wonderful people and do a wonderful job, but I refuse to contribute to the exorbanent salaries of CEO's.

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My aunt is the head of a local chapter in another state and I am sickened by what she does! A local department store in her area donated a crap load of clothes to the Red Cross. She picked thru the designer clothes and took some for herself and also gave some to her son for his modeling agency use. God only knows what else she pilfers!:eek:

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